Indian Navy commissions one submarine and two warships on same day
On January 15, 2025, India’s navy commissioned a submarine, a destroyer, and a frigate in a significant move to bolster its maritime capabilities for maintaining the security of the Indian Ocean.
This simultaneous launch took place at the state-run Mazagon Dockyard in Mumbai and is part of India’s broader strategy to enhance its naval strength critical for ensuring fully secured trade through the Indian Ocean.
This strategic military development underscores India’s commitment to maintaining maritime security and preventing external threats in the Indian Ocean Region.
The submarine, named INS Vagsheer, is the sixth vessel of the French Scorpène-class built in India. The aims is to replace older submarines in India’s fleet with fully indigenous ones.
With this addition, India now operates a total of 17 conventional submarines (8 of these made in India) and two Indigenous nuclear powered nuclear armed submarines.
The INS Nilgiri destroyer and the INS Surat frigate were also commissioned alongside the Vagsheer, highlighting India’s commitment to modernizing its naval forces.
Shri Rajnath Singh, Raksha Mantri emphasised that the Indian Ocean is becoming a focal point of international power dynamics, shifting away from traditional maritime concerns centred around the Atlantic and Pacific.
He stated that India is prioritizing naval enhancement to protect its national interests effectively.Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi remarked that these launches represent a significant advancement in India’s aspirations to become a leader in defence manufacturing and maritime security.
He noted that the commissioning of these vessels marks a leap forward in realizing this vision.
The Indian Ocean is crucial for global trade, with approximately 95% of India’s trade passing through these waters.
The region has presence of USA and French navies throughout the year and at times odd ships of navies of UK and other West European Countries.
There has also been an increase in Chinese naval presence. Realizing that the name of this Ocean is INDIAN OCEAN India to has respond with strategic military investments.
This expansion of India’s naval capabilities is essential for ensuring peace in the Indian Ocean Region.
India’s defence ministry is reportedly finalizing plans to construct three additional Scorpène-class submarines domestically, which aligns with ongoing efforts to enhance indigenous defence production capabilities. However, these new submarines are not expected to be operational until 2031.
However by 2027, Indian Navy will be adding 9 more stealth frigates bringing the total 23 and by 2031 is likely to be deploying around 32 frigates.
So it will be the Chinese Navy which will have to be careful in their passage through the Indian Ocean.
